Families with a fourth grader can get a genuinely useful free pass for national parks and other participating federal recreation sites during the 2026–27 school year. The Every Kid Outdoors pass is available to U.S. fourth-grade students, including the home-school equivalent, and remains valid through August 31, 2027.
This is not a mailed product sample or a sweepstakes. It is a free federal recreation pass that can cover entrance or standard day-use fees at more than 2,000 participating federal lands and waters.
Who qualifies?
- Students enrolled in fourth grade at a U.S. school
- Home-school students at the equivalent grade level
- Fourth graders attending a U.S. military school
The pass belongs to the student and cannot be transferred. Educators and adults working with fourth graders through eligible youth-serving organizations can also generate one paper pass for each fourth-grade student.
What does the free pass cover?
Coverage depends on how the recreation site charges admission:
- Vehicle entrance fee: The pass admits the fourth grader, all children under age 16, and all adults traveling in one noncommercial passenger vehicle.
- Per-person entrance fee: The pass admits the fourth grader, all children under 16, and up to three adults.
- Bicycle entrance: The pass covers all children under 16 and up to three adults traveling by bicycle.
The program applies at participating federal lands and waters. It does not automatically cover state, county, city, or local parks.
Important exclusions
The pass generally does not cover parking, camping, boat fees, special tours, or other expanded amenities. Some facilities on federal land are operated by private companies and may not accept the pass. Check directly with the destination before planning a trip or relying on the pass for a particular fee.
The program does not refund entrance fees that were already paid, and forgetting the pass does not qualify a family for a later refund.
How to get the pass
- Visit the official Every Kid Outdoors website.
- Have the fourth grader complete the short educational activity.
- Print the paper pass and bring it to the participating site.
Electronic copies of the paper pass are not accepted at entrances. Families who prefer a digital version can work with an adult to obtain one through Recreation.gov. Paper passes may also be exchanged for a durable pass at certain participating locations.
Get the free fourth-grade pass from Every Kid Outdoors
Before traveling, review the official rules and coverage details and contact the park or recreation site if acceptance is unclear.
If your family or classroom has used the Every Kid Outdoors pass, share your experience in the comments. Let other readers know where it worked, which fees were covered, and anything helpful they should understand before visiting.
Representative image: photo by Omri D. Cohen via Unsplash. Offer details were verified from official federal sources on November 4, 2026. Program rules and participating-site policies can change.
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